A US woman who shot and killed her husband and two adult children before taking her own life is thought to have committed the shocking crime as a result of being ostracised from the religion she was raised in.

A federal judge sentenced a former Arkansas judge Wednesday to five years in prison — a stiffer punishment than prosecutors recommended — after he admitted giving young male defendants lighter sentences in return for personal benefits that included sexual favours.

Every time I tell a mate I’m doing a story on cryptocurrency, they invariably ask me the same two questions: should they invest their own hard-earned money, and which cryptocurrency will get them a Lamborghini/yacht/island quickest?

In a 60 Minutes online exclusive, reporter Liz Hayes quizzed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his relationship with the unpredictable Twitter aficionado and US president Donald Trump ahead of their meeting at the White House Friday.

Travers 'Candyman' Benyon forced to pay $40k to ex-friend he sacked from empire

Tobacco magnate Travers ‘Candyman’ Benyon has lost a bitter legal fight against a former friend and employee who he sacked from his company.

The Federal Court in Brisbane today ruled Andrew Whelan should be paid $39,785 for being dismissed without notice and unpaid annual leave.

Benyon will also have to pay Whelan a yet to be confirmed penalty for sacking his then general manager, The Courier-Mail reports.

Over several court hearings, Whelan argued Benyon had failed to pay him unpaid holiday leave and bonuses when he was fired.

Gold Coast Tobacco mogul Travers "Candyman" Beynon arrives at the Federal Court in Brisbane. (AAP)Parnia Porsche, a former "Angel" at the mansion of Gold Coast Tobacco mogul Travers "Candyman" Beynon, arrives at the Federal Court in Brisbane, Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Ms Porche arrived in the company of Andrew Whelan who is suing Benyon for unfair dismissal after being sacked from his general manager position. (AAP)

Benyon, who is also known as 'The Candyman', insisted Whelan had been fired over "serious misconduct".

Whelan told the court how he had left a senior role with British American Tobacco in Sydney, which had an annual salary of $200,000, to join Benyon's company on the Gold Coast.

The judge rejected Whelan's claim he should be compensated for selling his Sydney home and missing out on potential gains made during the city's property boom.